Tim Green, 1982-85
Defensive Tackle
6-2, 249
Liverpool HS
Liverpool, N.Y.
1984 All-American
1985 All-American (unanimous)
Syracuse All-Century Team
College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2002
Tim Green is one of the greatest defensive talents to ever play for the Orange. Twenty years after his SU career ended, he still holds several school records, including 45.5 career sacks, and 341 career tackles by a down lineman. Green was such a force that no Syracuse player has come within 60 tackles of the latter mark. He also led the team in sacks each of his final three years at Syracuse.
On September 29, 1984, the top-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers came to Syracuse to face the Orange at the Carrier Dome. Green made two big sacks and a fumble recovery as the Orange overcame a second-half deficit to pull the upset by a score of 17-9, the only victory by SU over a team sporting the highest ranking in the country.
Accomplished in the classroom as well as on the field, Green earned several academic accolades throughout his college career, including CoSIDA Academic All-American (twice), National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete, and co-Valedictorian of his graduating class.
After the Atlanta Falcons selected him with the 17th overall pickl in the 1986 NFL Draft, Green tallied 24 sacks in eight seasons. He retired from pro football in 1993 and returned to SU, where he earned his law degree the following year.
Since then, Green has become a prolific author of suspense novels, children's books and non-fiction. Five of his works have made The New York Times bestseller's list and he has also written columns published by USA Today.
Green has also led an exciting life in television. After his retirement, he spent 11 years as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports, was a legal commentator for ABC's Good Morning America, and hosted FOX Sports' Emmy-nominated program, NFL Total Access.
In 2002, Green was enshrined as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. His induction class includes NFL greats Dan Marino, Ronnie Lott, Reggie White, Harry Carson and Kellen Winslow.
Green resides in nearby Skaneateles, N.Y., with his wife, Illyssa, and their five children.
|
Season |
Tackles |
Sacks |
|
1982 |
58 |
2.5 |
|
1983 |
94 | 14.5 |
|
1984 |
101 | 15 |
|
1985 |
88 | 13.5 |
|
Career |
341 | 45.5 |
